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365 Project Day 339: December Sky
Posted on 08. Dec, 2011 by maryanne.
Winter Sky
Canon 5D Mark ll, 70-200 2.8L, 130 mm focal length, 6.3 aperture, 1/250th shutter speed, 100 ISO
It seems winter has finally moved in. Strong winds and cooler air blew away the clouds to reveal a clear December sky. Housebound all day working on projects, I feel I am turning circles, expending energy while getting little accomplished. Then I see the dramatic light switching on and off like a light bulb over the tree in the front yard. The sun is dancing with the clouds. She is shining, and then hiding again, like a maiden coyly flirting with a suitor. Ahh, December sky. I open the door and step into the change.
The wind chaps my cheeks as I button my pea coat clumsily, my fingers already numbing in the frigid wind. My spirit is jolted awake. I feel alive again. I am grateful for the changing of the seasons. Winter is finally here. The silhouetted trees in their winter form look like people, all so unique and beautiful. Some are expressive, branches stretching out like hands to the sky, while others draw into themselves, making softer, circular shapes. I marvel at them and the God who lovingly gives every living thing a portion of His own beauty. His character and heart are personified all around me. He is God and there is no other.
Welcome winter.
Romans 1:20~”For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature.”
I See the Moon
Farm House Tree
Clarity
Country Sky
Flash of Brilliance
The Last Dance
Puddle Reflections
Shades of Glory
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365 Project Day 338: I See Her Dancing
Posted on 07. Dec, 2011 by maryanne.
Freedom
Canon 5D Mark ll,70-200 2.8L, 150mm focal length, 2.8 aperture, 1/60 shutter, 1250 ISO
(*Caveat~ the photos in this post are of Salena and Sean Donnelly, who graciously agreed to help me try to express my heart for this post by posing for me. The words are not about them, but I love them dearly!)
I lost a dear friend this week. Or should I say, the world did. She was an incredible woman, full of years and wisdom. And laughter. I think I will always remember her laughter. I can still hear it lilting and lining the edges of her words, her blue eyes sparkling. She had the heart of a child, even in her later years.
I heard about her passing yesterday and my heart sank. And yet simultaneously, I felt something else along with the grief. I sensed a deep joy rising up in my spirit for her. It was a unique feeling, this sadness edged with joy. I mourned for my loss, for the loss of everyone who ever had the joy of knowing her, but I as I began to think about her, really think about who she is and was, I knew she was happy. Truly happy. I see her dancing in my head. I know she is dancing, and that laugh of hers is echoing throughout eternity, mingling with the worship of heaven. I wanted to portray that here, for her, and for those who are missing her deeply. (Thank you, Salena and Sean for allowing me to photograph you to try to depict that.)
I see Daisy dancing. At last in the presence of her Savior, and again united with her beloved husband, who went on ahead of her many years ago. She missed him deeply. I see them dancing together, young again and full of the life and vigor of youth. This is the joy of heaven, of giving our hearts to the only One who can save us. I feel sure she will know the words “well done, good and faithful servant”, and they will go deep into her being. It is what her life was about. Faithfulness. How she loved the Lord Jesus. How everyone loved her. Artist, teacher, prayer warrior, fighter, mother, friend, mentor, painter, encourager.
Daisy. Oh, how the earth sighs with your passing. But those of us who hold eternity in our hearts, we know.
We know you are dancing. So,dance on. We will be with you soon, and we rejoice with you as you breathe in your reward.
We love you, and we are anxious to hear your laughter ringing in our ears again.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 ~ “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Joy in Her King
I have Been Waiting
So Glad You are Here
My Lady
Happy
May I Have this Dance?
Reunited
At Last
Missing You No Longer
Heaven's Waltz
Dance On
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365 Project Day 337: December Pears
Posted on 06. Dec, 2011 by maryanne.
Festive Fruit
Canon 5D Mark ll, 100 2.8 macro, 3.5 aperture, 1/200 shutter, 160 ISO. Texture applied in photoshop.
These beauties were another find at my local grocery store this week. I could not resist their ruby-red color. I brought them home, arranged them in one of my favorite bowls on my kitchen table and then promptly forgot about them. Today, as I was processing another photo shoot, I got up and walked into the kitchen from time to time to stretch my legs and nibble from the pantry. These lovelies would catch my eye every time as the light shifted and changed throughout the day. I finally gave in and spent some time photographing them. They radiate a sense of holiday cheer. I just had to share them here. I love this processing too, with the muted colors and textures. It’s a little different for me. Might make a nice fine art print or calendar page in my new calendar I am putting together.
Still trying to keep it simple. I am learning to rest in this final stretch of my blog, although I am hoping to knock a few out of the park before it is over.:)
If you would like one of these pear prints, leave me a comment here on my blog and I will give three away this week. (5×7′s) You don’t have to say anything special. I just like to know you’re out there sometimes. I will pick the winners with a random number generator at the end of the week.
May blessings tumble into your hearts and lives like these richly colored pears. Happy Tuesday!
~Mary Anne
Ephesians 1:15-18 ~ “I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.”
Cheerful Colors
Pretty Pears
Take One
Delicately Framed
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365 Project Day 336: Simplicity
Posted on 05. Dec, 2011 by maryanne.
Sunshine on my Table
Canon 5D Mark ll, 100 2.8 macro, 3.2 aperture, 1/25 shutter, ISO 500, Canon 580EX ll on camera at 1/8th power bounced off ceiling
I feel it breezing in as my year comes to a close. A simpler season. Ahhh, there is so much joy to be found in the simple and the small. These lemons caught my eye in the store yesterday and I knew I had to bring their cheerful demeanor into my home. Their fresh smell, the way they tumble together and beam sunshine from a blue and white bowl, all sweetness to my soul. Simple and sweet. It is time to clean closets, take care of the concerns of my own home, and throw out or give away the excess. I feel God calling me into simplicity and I gladly follow Him there.
Happy Monday. May you find joy in the simple today.
Acts 2:28 ~”You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”
Simple Joy
Blue and Yellow Cheer
Cheerful and Sweet
Tumbling Together
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365 Project Day 335: Sometimes I Imagine
Posted on 03. Dec, 2011 by maryanne.
Pretty Posies
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 2.5 aperture, 1/125 shutter/ 160 ISO
Often, when I feel weary and in need adventure, I imagine that I am somewhere wonderful. When I walked into my grocery store tonight and saw the flowers tumbling together, laying their colorful heads softly one upon the other, I imagined that I was in a flower market somewhere far away. In this market, there are children playing in the open street and bakers selling fresh bread. I am there on my walk home, getting the supplies for a fresh supper that I can carry in one arm, or perhaps in the basket of my bicycle. On the corner there is a gentleman playing his fiddle. He is there every evening around this time, his black derby hat laying at his feet for a few extra coins. I toss in several that are jingling in my pocket.
I gaze at the flowers before I leave, pondering my choice for the day. The soft pink tulips? The coral roses? I settle on the magenta tulips and the musician winks in approval. I lay one by his hat. A small boy brushes past my skirt as he chases his sister in a game of tag. He pauses and looks up at me, blue eyes sparkling, to beg an apology. I nod and he hurries after his red-headed sibling again. My heart is full and happy as I think about a quiet evening at home with my sweet husband, who waits for me at the end of the lane.
Sounds kind of nice doesn’t it? My life is full and rich as it is, but it is fun to dream. What would you dream for yourself?
I leave you with this sweet song to help you remember your blessings.
Ephesians 3:20 ~”Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”
All the Lovelies
Hard to Choose
Blessings this Sunday.
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365 Project Day 334: I Married a Cowboy and Didn’t Even Know It
Posted on 03. Dec, 2011 by maryanne.
Friendship
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 4.5 aperture, 1/640 shutter, 200 ISO
I have loved horses all of my life. They are woven forever into the fabric of my heart. I have spoken of this passion many times on this blog. I had a horse when I was younger for a brief time, but had to give him up due to financial difficulties in my family. It was a shining bit of color in my growing up years. I will always be grateful to my mom for trying so hard to make it work.
As I grew older I began to mourn the loss of dreaming about horses. I didn’t believe I would ever really have one of my own. I was in college when I met Chris, and I remember sitting with him on the quad of my campus one day as I pondered the dreams of my little girl’s heart. I asked him if he thought God might give me a horse in heaven since I had come to believe I would probably never have one in this lifetime again. I had shifted my dreams into eternity. That seemed the safe thing to do. He didn’t really have an answer for me and I gave up dreaming about it.
For awhile.
Ready to Ride
At least until after we were married. Some dreams just won’t die. After Annie was born, my passion for horses returned in spades when someone we knew was selling theirs for a reasonable price. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I am pretty sure Chris was questioning his choice of wives at this point. He thought horses were nice, but did not understand this obsession. He did love me though, and he gave in to my desires and we bought that first horse. She was the beginning of a long string of equine purchases we would make over the years. Many of them were not good decisions. But, the three we have now are wonderful.
I am grateful for the tenacity of God-given dreams.
Just in Town for Supplies
Here is the amazing thing. God has once again surpassed my expectations and kissed me straight on my forehead with this husband of mine. I never thought I would marry a man who loved to ride too. I married the man I fell in love with, fully believing that there were some things I just would not get to have. I secretly wanted a man who loved horses too. One who would saddle up and mosey down the road with me into the sunset,with the sounds of hooves clip-clopping melodies onto pavement. This is the stuff from which my dreams were spun.
Mine
This is what I am living in now. A dream beyond all I had hoped for. God went the extra mile. Sometimes I have to pinch myself. I have my cowboy. Sometimes God takes the long way in giving us the desires of our hearts. I now believe I should never give up on the dreams He has sown deeply within me. He gives us desires so that He can meet them. It is His joy. He just wants to know that we love Him more than we love anything He can give us.
From my Perspective
I am grateful for my Cowboy tonight, and for my God who sees me and blows me kisses daily.
Never stop dreaming or believing in the God who put those dreams into your heart. He is the Kind King.
Sunset Ride
Back in the Saddle
Let's Go Down the Road
At the End of the Day
Psalm 16:11 ~”You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
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365 Project Day 333: My Mom’s House
Posted on 01. Dec, 2011 by maryanne.
Sweet Tree
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L 1.6 aperture, 1/200 shutter, 320 ISO
I have always thought that my mom’s house was beautiful, especially at Christmas time, but this year a lot of other people get to see that in person. Her home will be featured in Stone Mountain’s Tour of Homes on Saturday, December 10th. If you know my mom, then you know she has the gift of hospitality. She loves to have people in her home, and people love to be there. It is always warm and welcoming, mostly because she is there. But, it is also very lovely. She has worked hard to make it that way. She and my sister Liza have worked especially hard this year to make it sparkle and shine a bit more than usual.
I took a few images to give you a taste, but I encourage you to drop by if you can on the 10th. Tickets are 20.00 in advance and 25.00 at the door. Hers is not the only home featured, (there are five total) and the proceeds go toward the Ronald McDonald House, Operation Christmas Child, and the Heifer Project. I hope you can stop by to see her!
Here are a few images of her beautiful home.
Mom in the Guest Room
The Guest Room
Living Room
Living Room View 2
The Lovely Master Bedroom
The Master Bath
Guest Bath in Pink
Kitchen Window
Back Porch in Yellow
Glassed in Porch
Special Touches Everywhere
Nutcrackers from Germany
Her Puppies
Musical Direction
Room for Love
Best Part of Grandma's House
Merry Christmas
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365 Project Day 332: Cowboy Tells a Christmas Story
Posted on 01. Dec, 2011 by maryanne.
Story Time
Canon 5D Mark ll, 24-70 2.8L, 2.8 aperture, 1/25 shutter, 100 ISO, Alien B800 to camera left in a large soft box at 1/16 power.
Cowboy asked if he could tell a Christmas story, and since he does not have a blog of his own, I told him I would let him use this one every now and then. You may recall some of his wisdom that he shared on day 122 of this project. Anyway, I now give the floor to Cowboy (who insisted on dressing the part for his story).
“Once there was a very special family who had an amazing dog named Cow.. er, uh, Bob. His name was Bob. And he we was a golden retriever, like me. Anyway, this family got a very sparkly tree and put it up in the house. They did this every year at Christmas, and, er, Bob thought it was very special. The best part about the tree was that it had a ginormous bowl of water at the bottom of it and the water tasted like Christmas. (At least that’s what Bob told me.)”
It Tasted Like Christmas
“One day, while the family was gone for a very, very long time, Bob got very, very thirsty. Yes, he had water in his own bowl, but the sparkly-tree water was soooo refreshing to Bob. So…”
"I Like This Part!"
“Indiana, don’t interrupt me!”
“As I was saying. So, Bob thought he would have just a small drink from the refreshing bowl at the bottom of the sparkly tree. After all, it was Christmas time! So Bob nosed his way in through all the clinking toys that were hanging on the tree. There were so many of them. Just a little further… and then he was in! He lapped up the water with delight, just taking small sips, but before long, it was all gone. ‘Uh oh’, Bob thought to himself. He knew master would not like this. So, Cowboy, I mean Bob began to back out carefully.
"I Saw the Whole Thing"
“As I was SAYING, Bob began to back out very, very carefully, but his big fluffy tail got caught on a branch or something, and he heard a big noise. Bob ran very fast in reverse! You should have seen it. It was very cool! The next thing he knew the big sparkly tree was on the floor and the toys were all broken. Bob went into the corner and hid. He knew master would be very upset when he got home.”
It was Very Scary
“It seemed like hours went by. Bob could not think about anything else. He kept seeing master’s face all crinkled up. He did not like that face at all. Then he came up with a plan! When master came home, he would act extra-cute! Master loved the cute, especially mommy master. She could not resist the cute! So, he practiced making his eyes big and round and stretching his paws back and forth and making his cute noises. He felt this would work for sure! Master would not even see the tree and the broken toys.”
Practicing the Cute
"This is the Cute, Cowboy."
“Then he heard the door open and he got ready with all of his cuteness, although he was kind of nervous inside. It was mommy master! He was in luck! So, when she came in, he pretended he did not see the sparkly tree on the ground. But she saw it and began to get very loud. Her face turned very red as she picked up the broken toys. Bob got ready to show his cuteness. She yelled at Cowboy, I mean BOB, for what seemed like forever. She kept asking the same question. ‘Did YOU do this? Did YOU do this?’ Bob heard her the first time. It seemed like she was stuck. So Bob stretched out his paws, and made his cute sound, rounding out his eyes as much as possible. Her face changed a little. Then mommy master began to smile. It was working! But, then she looked at the tree again and she stopped smiling. It had only worked for a minute. Bob left the room and doesn’t know what happened after that. The End.”
"That's an Abrupt Ending"
It's my Story
Well, I guess that’s it for Cowboy’s Christmas story.
I think it may be based on a true story with the names changed to protect the innocent, or the guilty in this case.
Looking forward to a joyful and happy Christmas season, whether the tree falls this year or not. (Last year we ended up bungee-cording it to the bannister.:)
Happy Thursday, everyone!
Proverbs 17:22 ~”A joyful heart is good medicine,”
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365 Project Day 331: Two Weeks Ago Today
Posted on 30. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Holding Daddy's Hand
Canon 5D Mark ll, 100 2.8 macro, 3.2 aperture, 1/125 shutter, 640 ISO
Two weeks ago today, I was driving to the hospital at 5:30 in the morning in the rain, hoping I would make it in time to see sweet Isabella Sarai come shining into our world. I was not disappointed. It was just two days before I was to leave for England and so I am just now able to post a few pictures of that glorious morning. Her name aptly means “beautiful princess”, and that she is. But I knew she would be. I wrote about her a couple months ago when I photographed her mommy Cynthia.
This princess will command a court consisting of two brothers, a daddy who is already wrapped around her perfect fingers, and her lovely mommy. I am so honored that I was able to be there when she took her first breaths, had her first bath and her many first kisses from her mommy and daddy, her grandma and her aunt. This is the second time I have been with Cynthia and Mike during the delivery of one of their children. I also got to see sweet their son Hayden be born, and capture his first moments in the arms of his parents. How I love this sweet family. They are very special to me.
Blessings, Kelly family. Welcome, Isabella Sarai. Beautiful Princess.
Psalm 127:3-5 ~” Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!”
Perfect
Mommy Kisses
Daddy's Here
Getting Weighed
First Bath
Daddy's Girl
Holding Grandma's Hand
Being Born is Exhausting
Smiles for Daddy
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365 Project Day 330: Surrender
Posted on 29. Nov, 2011 by maryanne.
Surrender
Canon 5D Mark ll, 50 1.2L, 2.0 aperture, 1/160 shutter, 1000 ISO
“Why do we raise our hands in worship? Because it is the universal sign of surrender.” ~ Carl Lentz, pastor of Hillsong Church NYC
It is good to surrender again and again to a God who is much greater than any worry, any concern I could ever have. I surrender to Him, the kind King, the one and only God, and my heart is safe in His hands. I surrender.
Need some rest? Take time to listen to Jadon Lavik’s version of ”I Surrender All”. I pray it will help you to open your hands and heart to the Father, who loves you so deeply.
1 Peter 5:7 ~”Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
All to Jesus
Sweet Peace
Free
